Friday, June 10th, 2011 at 9:10 am  |  68 responses

Are the Mavs Affecting LeBron James Mentally?


As the NBA Finals have progressed, with Dallas gaining momentum, we’ve seen the Mavs talk quite a bit of trash to LeBron (particularly, Shawn Marion.) According to DeShawn Stevenson, James isn’t really out to make people pay for their words. From Yahoo! Sports: “These Dallas Mavericks go to great lengths to mess with him, hurling insults and insinuations with regularity that they never would’ve dared with different superstars. Why? Because they believe it messes with his mind. They believe the words will fester within him, keep him thinking when he ought to be reacting. Terry says James can’t guard him, and so far he’s been right. DeShawn Stevenson essentially called him a quitter in Game 4. Shawn Marion appeared to call him much worse on the floor, too. James won’t get mad, and James won’t get even and make people pay a price. When opposing players hear people insist they ought to be respectful of James out of fear of retribution – be careful they don’t stir him with words – they privately giggle. ‘Different guys are different,’ Stevenson [said]. ‘Kobe Bryant feeds off stuff like that. He looks for it every time. LeBron’s a different kind of person. Obviously he’s a freak of nature, able to do a lot of things, but everybody in this league is built different.’ Built differently. Translated: Where’s the killer within? Where’s the best player in basketball, the prodigious talent that left the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics crumpled messes back in the Eastern Conference? Where’s the cold-bloodedness? Where is this guy?”

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  • bull22

    as much as i can’t stand lebron, his effort yesterday was pretty darn good in putting his team in a position to win game, i think the mavericks don’t get enough credit for how they slowed him down, i will give DEWADE props for giving mavs credit way before this game, but lebron and some idiotical miami fans who keep insisting its him, should give these ponies some credit for their work on lebron….

  • http://www.slamonline.com Jahmai

    LeBron is getting WAAYYY too much criticism. How can anyone live like this? This dude is getting absolutely crushed for anything he does or does not do. Yes, he has played bad games at the most important times. I don’t know what’s going on with him either, but give the man some room. Unbelievable.

  • Gman

    Hey, Lebron is the one who talked about championships. He is 2 games away, and he is playing crap. SO yes he is getting heat.

  • sigmaman

    You can’t have bad games in the Finals. That’s wat the 82 regular season games are for. Of course he’s gonna get catch some heat

  • http://slamonline.com Fut.

    As soon as it gets real, he hides in his game. Like he’s afraid to win. I kinda pity the guy now. I used to outright want him to be destroyed every time he got on the court. Funny how things change.

    As long as Dirk, Kidd + Marion get their rings I’ll be happy and LeBron and the Heatles can win it next year.

  • All Day

    @Jahmai: I agree that LeBron gets criticized for everything he says and does now and it doesn’t matter whether it’s good or bad. The hatred he’s receiving is the result of him staging one of the biggest “look at me” moments in sports history with The Decision.

  • SLG

    Completely agree with “Gman”, he deserves all the criticism, he’s brought it on himself. Personally I think he needs to lose these finals so he can check his ego at the door from now on. Yes, he is a great talent, but he needs to show respect to the other greats in the league as well. If you’re gonna be all talk all the time, you better back it up.
    I read him and Wade were making fun of Dirk and his fever after game 4, and look what happened to Wade in game 5, he got hurt. Truly great players show respect to others that deserve it, these guys don’t and it’ll make me sick if they walk away with this championship!

  • http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

    *Yawns*

  • http://www.slamonline.com Max

    @Jahmai, he can live like this because he makes millions of dollars with doing what he loves; playing ball.

  • Red Star

    Talk to me when he’s got 6 rings! LMFAO!!!

  • robb

    OK guys listen, Lebron is an awesome player but the media has been trying to make people think he’s the ultimate player, but there’s no such thing. Lebron simply isn’t as tough mentally as everyone would like, he’s not perfect. Is that a sin? I mean, the guy had a triple double! Yes he wasnt a factor during the 4th, but he had a good game. We have to understand that maybe everybody labeled him wrong, he’s an incredible talent but he’s not a cold blooded player like MJ, Kobe or even Wade. I say leave the guy alone, too much criticism and too many misplaced expectations on one person.

  • flimo

    “Miami Heat’s LeBron James accepts villain role”

    Now stop complaining.

  • Anthony

    Its funny how Lebron can get a triple double and still not get credit for a good game…….. Nobody on the mavericks can get a triple double .. maybe jkidd but hes not that player anymore…….. Ever since Pippen made his statement, evrybody’s been expectn to him to do crazy number….. Evryboy needs 2 just chill……..

  • http://www.slamonline.com Jahmai

    He should be getting some criticism for his terrible game 4 performance, but turn on a sports channel and you’ll get an hour long show full of LeBron bashing, if you go to any sports site it reads something like this: ‘LeBron the worst player on earth.’ (not really, but it does start to feel that way with the way the media is writing about him). Who can get a triple double and afterward have Skip saying: He should retire (because it was that bad). Are you serious? This guy is the most scrutinized athlete I’ve ever had a chance to see.

  • Bruno

    hey lebron can get a cuadruple double but he’s not gettin the job done, he’s not winning so if he lose the finals he didnt do enough, he didnt do what he was expecting since he took his talents to south beach

  • madterps

    It’s only right that he’s getting flack for scoring only 13 points in the 4th in this series. Lebron said that he’s going to win 7 or 8 rings, did he show up in the crucial 4th quarter in this entire series? No. Dallas would’ve won this series if Mario Chalmers was called for the backcourt violation at halftime while hoisting up that half-court shot in game 3. Go Mavs!

  • Iriishspacemonk

    What’s the big deal really with a triple double when you can’t win a game. In the end, 3 double figure stats (all below 20 btw) means nothing when you can’t close out a game. Games are won in the 4th quarter and in the 4th James is absent.

  • mj23

    Lebron’s jumpshot is broke.

  • EvaJ

    I am so furious with the way the Heat played the last three games I am ready to JUMP SHIP…..what is going on in your heads Bosch you are loosing too many baskets and Lebron I guess the media will win they said you will not be successful for 3 to 5 years …Come on you know u are much better, greater than that/……SHOW ME YOUR TRU TALENT….Dwayne you are MY TALENTED PLAYER…..GET YOUR GUYS BACK TO PLAYING…..

  • mj23

    JT has a sweet jumpshot, and Lebron can’t guard him one on one. Lebron can only pass, but he can’t shoot that broke jumpshot, or Miami will lose. He needs boobie gibson or Mo Williams to pass to.

  • Eva Johnson

    Heat what is going on in your heads…I am ready to jump ship….I loved the HEAT but with the way you guys are playing is shocking….Bosch how could you loose 3 baskets in the 4th game ..thee is no excuse. Lebron the media mentioned it will take you 3-5 years to get a ring..Come on show them different. You have 2 more game to shine..wake up guys ,,,,,

  • Ali

    Defineatly! That JET 3 was sick! Right in Bron’s grill! He’s thinking about that shot foe sho!

  • Eva Johnson

    I have nothing more to add I am annoyed

  • MattM

    There is not one other player in the league who would get dissed after putting up a triple double. Also, to say he wasn’t a factor in the 4th quarter is simply incorrect. He was drawing the defense and getting guys layups and playing good D. I thought he got a bum deal on the Chandler charge as well. I think it is ridiculous the amount of flack he catches. Just for the record, I’m rooting for the Mavs.

  • Lan

    Mayhaps that Lebron peaked as far as playoffs domination? He did carry the Heat when Dwayne was kind of ‘off’ at the Chicago series.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Max

    I saw LeBron today and asked him for $1, but he only gave me $0.75, I asked him “where’s the rest” and he said “I don’t have a 4th quarter”

  • Eddie1

    Does anyone else think Bill Simmons’ Grantland website is going to be a monumental flop?

  • MattH

    @ Red Star: It’s the only argument I need!!
    Other than that, I agree LeBron is good. I don’t think he’s GREAT. Dirk is great (no, I’m not a Mavs fan). Kobe is great. I think even Dwayne Wade will be considered great. The difference I see from all these players to LeBron is that drive, that fierce, competitive desire to win, that ability to will their team to victory. Maybe he does have it, deep within, but thus far in his career I haven’t seen it.

  • http://slamonline.com 1982

    cosign MJ23 I guess – but just this series so far. If he can’t hit, then there’s no need to spread the floor on D. They gave him a few open looks last night too, choosing to close in to rebound or take out Miami’s shooters like Terry, JJ, and DShawn were taken out by Bron in earlier games. I have a feeling that he’s not going to be bricking at home. Game 6… I can’t wait.

  • http://espn.com ubestNOTmiss

    This is all built for TV.
    Build you up just to tear you down. but like air he will rise.
    Bron will go ghostface x rocky on your @sses come sunday.
    He’ll turn into a bulldozer with a wrecking ball attached. He aint been hungry since the 2009 Orlando series. Not even close to 2007 detroit series.
    But come sunday when the heat plays at home. No bullsh!t offensive fouls will be called not even bogus loose ball fouls on haslem. None of that.

  • hillbilly

    Body language. Look at the way the Heat players (specifically, LBJ & DWade) addressed the media after their first loss in Miami. They seemed pretty upbeat for a team that had just lost HCA. “Yeah. It’s a loss. Nobody said this was gonna be easy.” Translation: “Y’all worried? We ain’t worried. It’s a long series, but we still got this.” After last night’s loss, you could tell that more than just a little doubt/concern has mnifested itself in the minds of the Heat. During the post-game presser, Bosh looked like someone had just stolen his watch and kicked him in the jimmysack.

  • http://slamonline.com Acclaimed

    @Max nailed it! Hah.
    Lebron needs to stop passing, and start shooting. A super star takes the shot because he believes that it will go in every time. That’s what separates the Jordan’s from the James’, an unbreakable confidence in their ability to hit the shot when it matters most.

  • LeBron de Con

    Da wumen behind me is E-Boy. Come to papa, E-Boy

  • http://slamonline.com Acclaimed

    Also, Lebron had 1 made basket in the 4th.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Lebron’s jumper is off, so his confidence is shaky, the defense is good which magnifiies those problems and his teammates are good so he can give in to his natural impulse to pass when he’s not feeling it.
    It’s not really complicated. It’s maddening, but not complicated.

  • mj23

    Brah!!! Jumper ain’t just off, dat jumper’s broke!!! Needs to get in the gym and some lessons from JT. JT show BronBron how it’s done.

  • mj23

    BronBron’s gonna need a binkie after Game 6.

  • http://www.double-technical.blogspot.com Zee!

    If Rashard Lewis was crushing the mother of my children, I’d be a lil off on my game too.

  • http://slamonline.com 1982

    @Eva Johnson “Heat what is going on in your heads…I am ready to jump ship” not trying to be mean, but that’s why people hate current Heat fans.

  • http://www.facebook.com/joe.l.brewer3 BlackPhantom

    Either Lebron James(or D-Wade) becomes the killer or else the Mavs win. Point blank, period.

  • STAYWEIRD38

    hey EBOY you can suck on my big hairy nuts hahaha

  • hillbilly

    @Eddie1 I checked out Grantland the other day. “Monumental flop” sounds about right. Simmons shouldn’t even be allowed to call himself a sports writer anymore. All he does is release boring podcasts about stupid
    sh!t like “Who’s the biggest stank ho on Jersey Shore?’. Pass.

  • JMart42

    LeBron’s gonna be on that list of great players who never won a title…

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    Hating is a big problem in sports but especially here at slam.
    I read the posts after the 2006 Finals and Dirk got busted by nearly everyone. I can only remember 4 or 5 guys that defended him.
    The list of guys who said that Dirk was the softest player of them all after getting his team to the finals ( a big accomplishment itself in my opinion ) included names like Khalid Salaam or WhithotEboy.
    I don’t want to say that this justifies what is happening to LeBron right now because it doesn’t but it shows a general attitude of blasting guys that come short and it is a general problem in basketball and especially this site.
    Maybe all of us should think a second before we post and then talk about basketball. These guys are all human and they have already accomplished so much by advancing to college, the league, the playoffs and finals and then all of a sudden when they have one, two, three bad games they are loosers?????????????????????????????????
    I know that most guys here will not self reflect and go on with their usual posting and most of them will not even read this comment because I’m posting to late.
    I just wanted to share this thought.
    Nice team basketball by the mavs , by the way.

  • toinefan88

    Let’s go Mavs!

  • http://fivemag.de Speedy

    All guys that compare James, Wade to Jordan please think twice before you say that Jordan did this or did that better than they do.
    Jordan, Scottie and the Bulls needed a lot of tries to win it all.

  • David

    @speedy what are you talking about? Jordan is 6/6 in the finals…

  • fruizm

    @Speedy…..WORD.

  • cball

    I dont know why you guys are felling sorry for him he gets payed 20 mil to play basketball he doesnt care

  • Don

    “Triple double”/schmipple bubble. What an asinine remark that No maverick can get a triple double”. Triple doubles were created by analysts and number-phobes. I doesn’t mean s#it if it doesn’t assist your team in winning. LBJ/”The King” isn’t even the best player on HIS OWN team. He is a fantastic athlete, physically. He is being exposed as a fraud otherwise. Nuf sed!

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